Planned Giving & Legacy (Bequest) Bulletin Insert and Intent Form
A congregant-facing legacy-society insert and non-binding bequest intention form introducing wills, beneficiary designations, and endowment gifts.
Draft: pending review
This starter document is signed off by Estate-planning/nonprofit counsel + CFRE/CAP before it ships. The guardrails below define that review.
What’s inside
- Plain-language menu: bequest, beneficiary designation, IRA/QCD, appreciated stock, endowment
- Sample bequest language with the church's correct legal name and EIN
- Non-binding letter of intent / legacy-society enrollment card
- Endowment purpose and spending-policy summary with 'consult your advisor' directive
Legal & ethical guardrails
The sector-specific compliance points this document must honor.
- Insert must not give individualized legal/tax/estate advice; include a clear 'consult your own attorney/tax advisor' disclaimer
- Bequest intentions are revocable and non-binding — say so, and never pressure a donor to alter an estate plan
- Heightened undue-influence care so the church is not seen steering a vulnerable donor's will; encourage independent counsel
- Honor any donor-imposed permanent restriction (UPMIFA) and publish endowment terms honestly
Held for professional review.
The native DOCX and full working text ship only after sign-off by Estate-planning/nonprofit counsel + CFRE/CAP on this exact version. The summary and review requirements remain visible in the meantime.
Not legal advice. Not legal, tax, or accounting advice. The Fundraising Co. provides educational fundraising materials and is not a law firm; nothing here creates an attorney–client relationship or substitutes for advice from professionals licensed in your jurisdiction. Laws and IRS rules vary by state and change over time. Review every document with qualified counsel before use.